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12yo will walk 500km to talk with Prime Minister about paediatric care

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • A 12-year-old boy named Dusty Langby is walking 500 kilometers to meet with the Australian Prime Minister about pediatric care in rural areas.
  • Dusty aims to raise $1 million for the children's charity Little Wings, which provides free flights for rural children needing medical treatment.
  • He has already raised $100,000, enough to fund a doctor's travel to five rural communities for a year, and hopes the Prime Minister will match his fundraising total.

Dusty Langby, a determined 12-year-old from western New South Wales, is embarking on an arduous 500-kilometer walk to Canberra. His goal is to secure a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to advocate for improved pediatric care in rural Australia.

I'm asking for him [Anthony Albanese] to match the amount that I've raised when I get to parliament.

— Dusty LangbyStating his request to the Prime Minister.

Langby's trek, scheduled to begin at the end of the month, will span 16 days. He is undertaking this challenge to raise $1 million for Little Wings, a charity that offers crucial support by providing free flights to Sydney for children from rural areas requiring specialist medical attention. The charity also facilitates visits from pediatricians to regional communities.

So far, Dusty has demonstrated remarkable initiative, raising $100,000. This significant sum is sufficient to cover the travel costs for a doctor to visit five rural communities annually. He has expressed his hope that the Prime Minister will match the total amount he raises upon his arrival in the capital.

Nothing about this young guy surprises me.

— Clare PearsonCEO of Little Wings, commenting on Dusty's initiative.

Clare Pearson, CEO of Little Wings, lauded Dusty's efforts, stating that his commitment is unsurprising given his dedication. She highlighted the charity's ongoing struggle to secure a meeting with the Prime Minister, praising Dusty for his persistence. Pearson added that a $1 million contribution would be transformative, enabling Little Wings to serve 12 additional communities currently on their waiting list.

We've never been able to secure a meeting with [Anthony] Albanese, so good on him for not taking no for an answer.

— Clare PearsonCEO of Little Wings, highlighting the difficulty in meeting the Prime Minister.

Dusty's inspiration for the walk reportedly came during a swim in his family's dam in January. His mother, Sarah Langby, expressed immense pride in her son's initiative and execution, noting that his current fundraising total will enable approximately 400 children to access care they otherwise would not receive. Dusty and his team have been training since January, enduring four pairs of shoes in preparation for the demanding journey.

I'm so proud of Dusty.

— Sarah LangbyDusty's mother, expressing her pride.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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